Theological Studies MA (Hons) 2019 entry

The MA (Hons) in Theological Studies provides an introduction to the rich theological traditions of Christianity, covering the history of Christian theology from the early church to the modern world. You will explore ways in which Christianity is being expressed and lived out today in different areas of the world, and you will learn about the distinctive challenges to faith presented by modern secular culture.

The MA course is particularly suited for those wanting a wider range of options across Arts subjects, but who still want to give most of their attention to Divinity.

Applications for 2019 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

V601

Course type

Master of Arts (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

  • Start date: 9 September 2019
  • End date: 30 June 2023

If you started this programme in 2018, you can find information about 2018 entry on the 2018 Theological Studies MA page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Entry requirements

SQA Highers AAAB
GCE A-Levels AAA
IB points 36

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes, please see our entry requirements for more information.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No previous knowledge of Biblical Studies or Theology is required.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Arts minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty. More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements webpage.

Find out more about Faculty of Arts entry requirements.

Timetables

St Andrews students must meet with their Adviser of Studies at the beginning of Semester 1 in September to complete advising – a compulsory part of the matriculation process. After module choices have been decided, a timetable will be allocated indicating the dates and times of classes.

Reputation

The School of Divinity has enjoyed an international reputation for teaching excellence since it was founded in 1539.

Theology and religious studies at St Andrews was ranked first in Scotland by both the Guardian University Guide 2019 and the Complete University Guide 2019.

The School of Divinity was also ranked top in Scotland for research quality in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2018 as 94% of St Andrews final year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.

The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.

Find out more about studying Divinity at St Andrews

Course information

The MA (Hons) in Theological Studies is a four-year course run by the School of Divinity. The course combines three distinct but closely related fields of study: theology, church history and practical theology.

Modules in theology consider key topics (God, salvation, Jesus Christ, Trinity, creation) in relation to the contexts in which they emerged and developed throughout Christian history, and some of the key thinkers who developed those concepts. They also consider some of the distinctive challenges to faith in the modern world.

Modules in practical theology explore ways in which Christianity is being expressed and lived out today. They include the study of:

  • worship, spirituality and the political involvement of the churches in contemporary Britain
  • liturgy and social reflection in Latin America
  • dance, worship and healing in Africa
  • moral decision-making
  • bioethics (abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering)
  • political ethics (economic justice and political power, ecological issues)
  • personal relationships (marriage, sexuality, friendship).

Alongside Theological Studies, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

The skills you gain in detailed analytical study will prepare you for your final two years, during which you will take advanced courses on primary texts of Christian theology. You will also be able to choose from a range of specialist subject modules in areas including (but not limited to):

  • particular theologioans in their context
  • particular doctrines
  • theological ethics
  • church history
  • inter-religious dialogue
  • Christian mysticism.

Final year students must also complete a 10,000 word dissertation on a Theological Studies topic chosen in consultation with teaching staff.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure webpage.

Find out more about studying Divinity at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Theological Studies alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take one Theological Studies module per semester during your first two years, and three or four Theological Studies modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students take the following compulsory first-year modules:

  • Theology: Issues and History: approaches a variety of themes within Christian theology with a view to its biblical roots and historical development, its critical reception and restatement in the modern period, and its significance for contemporary theological reflection.
  • Practical Theology and Ethics: introduces students to the work of a number of practical theologians as well as key concepts from the history of Christian ethics, such as natural law, divine command, virtue ethics, the relations of scripture to ethics, and political theology.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules: 

  • Philosophical Theology: introduces students to the relations between philosophy and theology in thought about God, including themes in metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language.
  • The Early and Mediaeval Church: History, Beliefs and Practices: explores key themes in the organisation, practice and beliefs of the early and mediaeval church, focusing mostly on the period from the first to the ninth centuries.

If you decide to take Theological Studies in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options aimed to bring you in contact with the primary texts of Christian theology.

Theological Studies Honours modules which have been offered in previous years include:

  • Medieval Monastic Spirituality
  • The Nature of Theology
  • Reading in Reformation and Early Modern Theology
  • Reading in Theological Ethics
  • Religious World of Dante
  • Themes and Texts in Christian-Buddhist Dialogue
  • Theology, Spirituality and Pastoral Care.

In fourth year, students also undertake a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice. The School provides significant support for the dissertation, with a breakdown of the assessment into different stages and a programme of seminars to assist in the development of advanced research and communication skills.


The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules available for the current academic year can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

Teaching in the first and second years is mainly by lectures (10 to 100 students), supplemented by regular small-group tutorials (10 to 15 students).

At Honours level, greater emphasis is put on individual study and on students taking a major role in preparing for, and conducting, seminars (5 to 15 students).

When not attending lectures, tutorials and workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

  • working on individual and group projects
  • undertaking research in the library
  • preparing coursework assignments and presentations
  • undertaking assigned and recommended readings
  • preparing for examinations.

You will be taught by a research-led teaching team with expertise and knowledge of Theological Studies. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all Divinity staff on the School of Divinity website.

In addition to your studies in the School of Divinity, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.

The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities webpage.

Assessment

All sub-honours modules are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% written examinations. At Honours level, at least 50% assessed work is coursework, with some modules including no exam element at all.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The School of Divinity provides feedback on every assessment, with a view to improving your performance in future, and aims to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please visit the common reporting scale webpage.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2019 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £22,350

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Joint Honours degrees

You can take Theological Studies as part of a joint Honours degree alongside one of the following subjects:

  • Classical Studies
  • English
  • Film Studies
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • International Relations
  • Mathematics
  • Mediaeval History
  • Modern History
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Russian
  • Social Anthropology
  • Spanish

Your future

Careers

Graduates from the theological and biblical disciplines develop key transferable skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication, which make them highly attractive to potential employers. Accordingly, employment prospects are usually wide ranging.

Recent graduates from the School of Divinity have found positions as:

  • assistant minister with the Church of Scotland
  • Youth Pastor with the Free Church of Scotland
  • quality improvement officer with an English local council
  • nursery nurse
  • administrator with the Financial Services Authority (FSA)
  • officer in the accounts department of Nexus communications
  • policy officer with the Scottish Executive
  • teacher
  • trainee accountant with KPMG.

Others have gone on to become lawyers, corporate bankers, marketing managers, social workers, language therapists, even wine tasters, as well as vicars, chaplains and school teachers.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of Theological Studies may be interested in joining the St Mary’s College Society. The society organises social events for the staff and students of the School of Divinity. The society is very active with Friday lunches, pub evenings, the annual dinner, the annual ball and the Christmas lunch. They also have a charitable and spiritual role within the college, raising money for different charities throughout the year.

The School of Divinity is located in St Mary’s College, one of the oldest and most historic parts of the University, where theology has been taught for over 500 years. Today, teaching takes place in seminar rooms and lecture theatres equipped with the latest technology both within St Mary’s and around the University. The Divinity library is housed in the historic King James Library, and students have their own common room in the former Principal’s House.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland. Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

“There is a wide and exciting range of topics studied in Divinity; in my first year alone I was taught in depth about everything from Koine Greek vocabulary to how theology can be practically applied in cities. What I really love about studying in Divinity is the friendly community atmosphere between students and staff that makes academic study so enjoyable and inspiring.”

Megan (Cornwall, England)

Contact

School of Divinity
University of St Andrews
St Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2850
Email: divinity@st-andrews.ac.uk

Divinity website

Update to web page

On 5 July 2019, the module 'Christian Thought and Practice 1' was replaced by 'Philosophical Theology' as a compulsory module for the second year. 

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).